Method for controlling washing machine

Abstract

A method for controlling a washing machine is disclosed. The method for controlling a washing machine having a steam generator includes a step of automatically discharging water of the steam generator outside of the steam generator during the operation of the washing machine. Therefore, according to the present invention, foreign substances may be efficiently prevented from precipitating in the steam generator.

1. A method for controlling a laundry machine having a steam generator, the method comprising:
 discharging water of the steam generator outside of the steam generator during an operation of the laundry machine and after generating steam by supplying water continuously into the steam generator even when a water level of the steam generator reaches a preset level, 
 wherein the discharge of water is concurrent with the supply of the water to clean the inside of the steam generator, 
 wherein the steam generator is configured to generate steam when the water level of the steam generator reaches the preset level, and 
 wherein the water is discharged after heating by operation of a heater of the steam generator. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water of the steam generator is discharged into a tub of the laundry machine. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the discharging is performed based on a sensed water temperature and a preset high water temperature of the tub. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the water temperature of the tub is sensed when supplying water into the tub is completed or when a predetermined time passes after starting to supply water into the tub. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the discharging is performed based on the difference between the preset high water temperature of the tub and the sensed temperature thereof and an increasing water temperature of the tub per cycle. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the water of the steam generator is discharged in only one cycle. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water of the steam generator is discharged at a predetermined time during the operation of the laundry machine. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the discharging is performed while supplying water into the tub in at least one of a soaking, washing and rinsing stroke. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the discharging is completed when supplying water into the tub is completed. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the discharging is performed in a case that a steam course is selected. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein a heater of the steam generator is operated to generate steam after the discharging is completed. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the discharging is performed in a case that a washing and steam course are selected. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 7 , wherein a door is locked at a predetermined time during the steam course. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heater is operated when the water level reaches the preset level. 
     
     
       15. A method for controlling a laundry machine having a steam generator, the method comprising:
 determining whether a predetermined condition for discharging water of the steam generator is satisfied, the steam generator being configured to generate steam when a water level of the steam generator reaches a preset level; and 
 discharging water of the steam generator outside of the steam generator during an operation of the laundry machine and after generating steam by supplying water continuously into the steam generator even when the water level reaches a preset level, when the discharging condition is satisfied, wherein the water is discharged after heating by operation of a heater of the steam generator and wherein the discharge of water is concurrent with the supply of the water to clean the inside of the steam generator. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the discharge condition is satisfied when a user pushes an auxiliary discharging button provided in an operating display panel. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the discharge condition is satisfied when a user selects a hand operated course or an automatic course. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the discharge condition is satisfied when a user selects a steam course. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the discharge condition is satisfied when a user selects a hand operated course or an automatic course and selects a steam course additionally. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the discharge condition is satisfied when a course is selected by a user. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the heater is operated when the water level reaches the preset level. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the discharging is performed based on a sensed water temperature and a preset high water temperature of the tub. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , wherein the water temperature of the tub is sensed when supplying water into the tub is complete or when a predetermined time passes after starting to supply water into the tub. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , further comparing a number of water discharging cycles using a temperature difference between the sensed water temperature and the preset high water temperature, and an increasing water temperature per discharging cycle. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24 , wherein the water is discharged in a case that the number of water discharging cycles is more than one. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the water of the steam generator is discharged at a predetermined time during the operation of the laundry machine. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the discharging is performed while supplying water into the tub in at least one of a soaking, washing and rinsing stroke.